After holding the Cardinals to just two points in the first quarter, Willits switched from zone defense to a man defense.

"It's great when we can get a big game and get ahead to where I get to play all the other kids and they get their chance to shine," Runberg said.

Dimitri Betts led with 12 points, Anthony Sorace had 10, Will Smith had seven, Ryan Hosford had six, Lane Wright had five, Nick Johnson and Brandon Slater each had four, Price Runberg had two and Shivam Patel had one.

M 2 8 2 4 16

W 16 14 8 12 50

Willits took on Kelseyville in game two, and while it looked as if the Wolverines would run away with the victory after leading the Knights 12-0 after the first quarter, the game went to Kelseyville in overtime, 45-47.

"We had five opportunities to win that game," said Runberg. A combination of missed free throws, stone cold layups and mental mistakes down the stretch cost Willits the game. "We couldn't convert," he said.

Meanwhile, the Knights chipped away the Wolverines' lead in the second quarter and came to within six points at halftime.

Willits pulled further ahead in the third quarter, outscoring Kelseyville 21-15. In the fourth quarter, however, the Knights showed great determination and went on a 19-7 run to tie the game.

"We got lazy on defense," said Runberg. "We became complacent."

Willits was unable to score in overtime despite several opportunities. Kelseyville only scored two points in the extra frame, but that was all the Knights needed to secure the win.

Will Smith, who received All-Tourney, led the Willits offense with 17 points. Betts had nine and Sorace had eight. Price Runberg had six points.

The young Wolverines were stunned by the loss. Seeing their raw emotion spoke volumes to coach Runberg.

"The kids were bummed after that game, but that showed they cared so much. It was terrific to see that as a coach."

What the team did next was even more terrific. The Wolverines regained their composure and stepped back onto the court an hour later and beat Petaluma's St. Vincent de Paul by one point.

"There is no reason [the Mustangs] shouldn't have beat us," said Runberg. "They were bigger, they were faster. But it just goes to show [the Wolverines'] mental toughness. How great that just an hour later, after an incredibly disappointing loss, to come back to win a back and forth game by one point."

Betts led the game with 11 points, followed by Hosford with 10, Sorace with eight, Smith with six, Johnson with four and Patel with two.

The Wolverines (5-2) host the Piedmont High School Highlanders on Saturday, December 15, at 4:30. The varsity boys' game will follow at 6 p.m.